The Africa Habitat Review Journal seeks to advance knowledge and promote the exchange of ideas among stakeholders in the built environment. The journal provides a platform for disseminating scholarly research, innovative practices, and emerging technologies that inform policy, planning, design, construction, and management of the built environment. By fostering dialogue between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, the journal supports research and development aimed at improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of professional practice across Africa and beyond.
FBED Publications, University of Nairobi, 2025
Water Urbanism and Land Use Change: A Conservation Strategy for Nanyuki Riverine Ecosystem, Laikipia County
Urban riverine ecosystems are increasingly threatened by rapid land use transformations driven by urbanization, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development in the Global South. This study develops a conservation strategy for the Nanyuki River by examining the effects of land use change on hydrology, water quality, and biodiversity within a water urbanism framework. A mixed-methods approach integrating spatial analysis, field measurements, water quality assessment, biodiversity surveys, and stakeholder perspectives was employed. Findings reveal significant spatial variation along the river corridor. Upstream sections remained relatively stable, while urbanized midstream areas experienced reduced flows, biodiversity decline, and severe microbial contamination. Downstream sections exhibited cumulative pollution impacts associated with increased impervious surfaces, riparian encroachment, and wastewater discharge. The study demonstrates that land use intensity is a major driver of ecological degradation and reduced river health. It proposes a water urbanism conservation framework integrating land use planning, riparian protection, decentralized wastewater management, and community-based governance to support sustainable river restoration and adaptive urban water management.
Ecosystem services, GIS, land use change, mixed-methods, NDVI, Nanyuki River, riparian buffer, social-ecological systems, water urbanism
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Evaluating Intelligent Traffic Management and Intersection Performance at Ring Road Kileleshwa/Riverside Drive, Nairobi
This study evaluates the impact of Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) on the operational performance of the Ring Road Kileleshwa/Riverside Drive intersection in Nairobi City, Kenya. Despite increasing deployment of ITMS in African cities, microsimulation-based evaluations of their operational effectiveness remain limited. Using AIMSUN microsimulation software, four traffic control scenarios were modelled and analysed: unsignalized priority control, fixed-time signals, optimized fixed-time signals, and vehicle-actuated signals. Performance was assessed using throughput, volume-to-capacity ratio, delay, queue length, and Level of Service (LOS). Results indicate that all scenarios experienced severe congestion, although operational performance varied across approaches. Vehicle-actuated control increased throughput but worsened delays due to unoptimized base timing, while the optimized fixed-time plan achieved the most balanced operational performance. The findings demonstrate that signal optimization alone cannot resolve physical capacity constraints and must be complemented by geometric improvements. The study contributes a replicable microsimulation framework for evaluating ITMS effectiveness in African urban intersections.
Adaptive traffic control, AIMSUN, microsimulation, signal optimization, urban mobility, level of service, queue length, traffic flow, Nairobi
A Perception-Based Walkability Index for an Informal-Economy CBD Corridor: Kenneth Matiba Road, Nairobi
Pedestrians account for most road traffic fatalities in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet walkability frameworks developed in high-income countries do not capture the contested streetscape of informal-economy Central Business Districts or the systematic attribution biases between road users. This study develops and validates a perception-based Walkability Performance Index (WPI) using survey data from 1,248 respondents (614 pedestrians, 425 drivers including 218 matatu operators, and 209 vendors) along Kenneth Matiba Road, a 250-metre Central Business District corridor in Nairobi. The corridor scored 39.0/100, with infrastructure adequacy the weakest sub-dimension (32.4/100). A 1.57-point attribution asymmetry on driver yielding was documented (rank-biserial r = 0.68), with significant matatu–private differences. Pedestrians and vendors converged on designated vending areas as a priority intervention. The instrument showed strong reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.870) and offers a low-cost diagnostic for Central Business District corridors across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Informal vending, kerbside management, paratransit, pedestrian perception, walk audit, walkability index
Continuity with Change: Developing an Empirical Conservation Strategy for Historic Shimoni Town Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Shimoni is a pre-colonial town along the East African coast distinguished by Swahili architecture and slave trade heritage. This study employed qualitative and quantitative approaches, including condition surveys and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), to examine the condition of cultural heritage and residents’ perceptions toward conservation. Findings revealed deterioration of heritage resources caused by neglect, vandalism, inadequate maintenance, and uncontrolled architectural modifications. CFA confirmed nine key associative heritage values: economic, aesthetic, social, educational, historic, spiritual, symbolic, use, and sustainability values. The study further established a strong relationship between heritage preservation and community perceptions of heritage value. Despite strong community attachment, Shimoni’s cultural heritage remains vulnerable to continued decline without deliberate conservation interventions. The study recommends participatory conservation planning, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, stronger planning controls, heritage documentation, and community stewardship initiatives. These measures can support sustainable preservation, strengthen local identity, promote heritage tourism, and safeguard the historic town from extinction while contributing to scientific conservation approaches for Swahili settlements along the East African coast.
Built environment, built heritage, condition survey, confirmatory factor analysis, empirical conservation strategy, heritage values, historic town, lack of maintenance, Shimoni, Swahili Coast, Swahili architecture, urban conservation, vandalism
Rethinking Community-Led Development: A Comparative Dialogue from Mukuru Informal Settlements
Community-led development (CLD) has become increasingly important as external aid declines and local capacity becomes central to development practice. Yet limited research compares how different stakeholders understand CLD or how dialogue reshapes these perceptions. This mixed-methods study examines CLD in Nairobi, Kenya, using pre- and post-dialogue surveys with 47 participants (N = 47), including Master’s students from the University of Nairobi and American University, and residents of the Mukuru informal settlement engaged in community initiatives. The study also draws on interviews with residents, development professionals, and government officials. Survey findings show broad support for CLD while identifying funding abuse, gatekeeping (Bashir, 2021), land tenure insecurity, and weak trust in state programs as key barriers. Interview analysis revealed six themes: land tenure and governance, infrastructure and housing, environmental risk, government trust, citizenship and legal identity, and community vision. Structured dialogue challenges assumptions and aligns development practice more closely with community realities.
Community-led development, informal settlements, mixed-methods research, participatory dialogue, stakeholder perceptions, Mukuru, Nairobi, Kenya
Editorial Heritage Conservation, Urban Mobility and Sustainable Development in Africa Welcome to the Twenty-First Volume, 2nd Issue of the Africa Habitat Review–Journal of the Faculty of Built Environment and Design. This issue presents critically analysed papers on matters relating to heritage conservation, community-led development, urban mobility, infrastructure provision, environmental management, and sustainable planning across Africa. Collectively, the contributions highlight context-sensitive research and practice, offering valuable insights into the relationships between culture, communities, infrastructure, governance, and the built environment in rapidly transforming African landscapes. The article on Valorizing Cultural Landscapes for Rural Development: A Case of Abindu and Kit Mikayi, Kisumu County, Kenya explores the potential of cultural landscapes as catalysts for rural development. The study investigates the landscape attributes and values associated with the Abindu and Kit Mikayi sites through a qualitative approach involving interviews, expert opinion, observation, mapping, and photography. Findings reveal that rare rock formations, caves, and indigenous medicinal flora constitute significant landscape resources, while spiritual and religious values remain the most important motivations for visitation. The study further identifies inadequate infrastructure and land encroachment as major threats to the sustainability of these sites. The article contributes to rural planning and heritage management discourse by demonstrating the importance of integrating cultural landscape values into development planning and recommends improved infrastructure provision and supportive policy frameworks. The article on Rethinking Community-Led Development: A Comparative Dialogue from Mukuru Informal Settlements investigates how different stakeholders understand community-led development and how dialogue influences these perceptions. Using a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and interviews among students, community residents, development practitioners, and government officials, the study evaluates opportunities and barriers associated with community-led initiatives. Findings reveal widespread support for community-led development but identify funding misuse, gatekeeping, land tenure insecurity, and weak trust in government programmes as significant constraints. The study further demonstrates that structured dialogue can challenge preconceived assumptions and foster greater alignment between development interventions and community realities. The article contributes to participatory development discourse by highlighting the value of dialogue-based engagement in strengthening locally driven development processes. The article on Continuity with Change: Developing an Empirical Conservation Strategy for Historic Shimoni Town Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis examines the conservation challenges facing one of Kenya’s historic Swahili settlements. Through condition surveys and Confirmatory Factor Analysis, the study evaluates the state of cultural heritage resources and community perceptions regarding conservation. Findings reveal widespread deterioration resulting from neglect, vandalism, inadequate maintenance, and uncontrolled alterations to historic structures. The analysis identifies nine key heritage values and establishes a strong relationship between community perceptions and conservation outcomes. The study emphasizes the vulnerability of Shimoni’s heritage despite strong local attachment and recommends participatory conservation planning, adaptive reuse, stronger planning controls, and heritage documentation. The article contributes to scientific approaches for conserving historic coastal settlements and promoting sustainable heritage management. The article on A Perception-Based Walkability Index for an Informal-Economy CBD Corridor: Kenneth Matiba Road, Nairobi develops and validates a context-specific tool for assessing walkability within informal-economy urban environments. Drawing on survey data from pedestrians, drivers, matatu operators, and vendors, the study constructs a Walkability Performance Index tailored to the realities of African Central Business Districts. Findings indicate poor overall corridor performance, with infrastructure adequacy emerging as the weakest component. Significant differences were observed in perceptions of driver yielding behaviour, particularly between matatu and private vehicle operators. Respondents identified designated vending areas as a priority intervention for improving pedestrian experiences. The article contributes an innovative and reliable diagnostic tool capable of informing pedestrian-oriented planning and policy interventions across Sub-Saharan African cities. The article on Options for Land Acquisition to Accommodate Missing Urban Infrastructure in Kenya: Lessons from Case Reviews addresses the challenge of providing public infrastructure within already developed settlements where land ownership constraints complicate planning interventions. Through comparative analysis of international experiences and policy frameworks, the study evaluates strategies for acquiring land and facilitating infrastructure provision. Findings demonstrate that no single model offers a universal solution to infrastructure deficiencies in built-up areas. However, the reviewed cases highlight the importance of state intervention, participatory planning, incremental redevelopment, and effective development control mechanisms. The article contributes to urban planning discourse by providing practical lessons for addressing infrastructure deficits in rapidly urbanizing Kenyan towns and cities. The article on Route Choice Behaviour on the Nairobi Expressway, Kenya: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Urban Toll Road Use investigates factors influencing motorists’ decisions when choosing between tolled and non-tolled urban road networks. Guided by transport behaviour theory, the study combines questionnaire surveys and key informant interviews to examine the influence of toll cost, convenience, traffic flow, time savings, and road condition. Findings reveal that traffic flow and road condition significantly affect route choice, while toll charges, entry and exit convenience, and time savings are less influential. The study demonstrates that motorists prioritize reliability and infrastructure quality over direct monetary costs when making travel decisions. The article contributes important evidence for transport planning and policy formulation concerning urban toll road operations in African cities. The article on Evaluating Intelligent Traffic Management and Intersection Performance at Ring Road Kileleshwa/Riverside Drive, Nairobi assesses the effectiveness of Intelligent Traffic Management Systems in improving intersection operations within a congested urban environment. Using microsimulation modelling, the study compares multiple traffic control scenarios, including unsignalized, fixed-time, optimized, and vehicle-actuated systems. Findings reveal persistent congestion across all scenarios despite variations in operational performance. While vehicle-actuated control increased throughput, it also generated higher delays due to timing inefficiencies, whereas optimized fixed-time control produced the most balanced outcomes. The study concludes that signal optimization alone cannot overcome physical capacity limitations and must be supported by geometric improvements. The article contributes a replicable framework for evaluating intelligent traffic interventions within African urban transport systems. The article on Water Urbanism and Land Use Change: A Conservation Strategy for Nanyuki Riverine Ecosystem, Laikipia County investigates the impacts of land use transformation on river health within a rapidly changing urban environment. Using a mixed-methods approach that integrates spatial analysis, biodiversity assessment, water quality evaluation, and stakeholder perspectives, the study examines ecological conditions along the Nanyuki River corridor. Findings reveal that urbanization, riparian encroachment, wastewater discharge, and expanding impervious surfaces have contributed significantly to declining biodiversity, reduced water quality, and ecosystem degradation. The study further demonstrates that land use intensity remains a key driver of environmental decline. The article contributes a comprehensive water urbanism framework that integrates planning, conservation, wastewater management, and community participation to support sustainable river restoration and long-term ecological resilience.
VOLUME 21 ISSUE 2 (MAY - AUGUST, 2026) CONTENT VII Editorial Prof. Robert W. Rukwaro 3874 Valorizing Cultural Landscapes for Rural Development: A Case of Abindu and Kit Mikayi, Kisumu County, Kenya Edwin Oluoch K’oyoo 3890 Rethinking Community-Led Development: A Comparative Dialogue from Mukuru Informal Settlements Angela R. Pashayan and Sonika Mahat 3904 Continuity with Change: Developing an Empirical Conservation Strategy for Historic Shimoni Town Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis Ali Abdallah Budzuma, Mugwima Njuguna and Karanja Dennis 3922 A Perception-Based Walkability Index for an Informal-Economy CBD Corridor: Kenneth Matiba Road, Nairobi Joseph Lebiya Kochalle, Osano Simpson Nyambane and George Paul K. Matheri 3940 Options for Land Acquisition to Accommodate Missing Urban Infrastructure in Kenya: Lessons from Case Reviews Jeremiah N. Ayonga 3956 Evaluating Intelligent Traffic Management and Intersection Performance at Ring Road Kileleshwa/ Riverside Drive, Nairobi Tabitha Wambui Kariuki, Simpson Nyambane Osano, John Francis Gichaga and Brian Oketch Jobita 3976 Water Urbanism and Land Use Change: A Conservation Strategy for Nanyuki Riverine Ecosystem, Laikipia County Nelson Michael Akwata Mudenyo, Mugwima Njuguna and Shadrack Mutungi Simon 4000 Route Choice Behaviour on the Nairobi Expressway, Kenya: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Urban Toll Road Use Christabel Olweny Misere, Simpson Nyambane Osano and John Francis Gichaga
he Africa Habitat Review Journal seeks to advance knowledge and promote the exchange of ideas among scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the built environment. The journal provides a platform for disseminating research, innovation, and professional practice that respond to emerging technologies, research developments, and contemporary challenges, with the aim of improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of the sector. It encourages contributions from both academic and professional communities and supports research that informs policy dialogue and decision-making. The journal explicitly links theory and practice within Kenyan, regional, and international contexts.
Construction Delays in Rwanda's Local Government Projects: A Statistical Framework for Management
Rwanda's construction sector, contributing 8.2% to GDP, faces persistent delays threatening Vision 2050 targets. This study examines delay factors in local government infrastructure projects using a mixed-methods approach involving stakeholders from Nyagatare and Musanze districts. Findings reveal that financial factors are the primary drivers of construction delays, showing a strong positive correlation with delay occurrence (r = 0.783, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis further establishes that financial factors exert the greatest predictive influence on project delays compared to administrative, technical, and environmental factors. Based on these findings, the Rwanda Construction Delay Management Framework (RCDMF) was developed, projecting up to a 60% reduction in proreduction in project delays when fully implemented. The study recommends strengthening pre-project financial planning, enforcing timely payment systems through IFMIS, and enhancing technical capacity through targeted training to improve delay management in Rwanda’s local government construction projects.
Construction delays, local government projects, financial factors, statistical prediction, Rwanda; Vision 2050, IFMIS, delay management framework
Adoption of Green Roofs for Climate Change Adaptation in Nairobi CBD:
Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) is increasingly affected by environmental challenges, including the Urban Heat Island effect and flash flooding. Although green roofs offer effective solutions for temperature regulation and stormwater management, their adoption remains notably low. This study applied a mixed-methods approach, guided by the Diffusion of Innovations and Planned Behavior theories, to evaluate adoption factors among 110 stakeholders, including architects, developers, and regulators. Findings reveal a significant gap between positive perceptions and actual implementation. While stakeholders highly rate the aesthetic (M = 4.27) and environmental (M = 4.19) benefits of green roofs, they report limited practical exposure (M = 2.68) and technical training. Although retrofitting is viewed as feasible (M = 3.87), high initial costs—ranging from KSh 3,000 to 7,000/m²—remain a critical deterrent. The study concludes that favorable attitudes alone are insufficient for adoption, requiring mandatory regulations, standardized guidelines, and targeted financial incentives.
Green roofs, climate change adaptation, adoption, urban heat island, green infrastructure, mixed-methods, Nairobi
Integrating African Design Technologies into Business Strategy:
This study explores how African cultural design technologies—including indigenous motifs, materials, and narratives—can be integrated into corporate business strategy to promote innovation and sustainability. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research surveyed 150 creative businesses across multiple African countries and conducted in-depth interviews with 20 cultural entrepreneurs. Guided by the Knowledge-Based View, Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions, and Sustainable Development theory, the study examines how blending modern business practices with traditional African design principles enhances firm performance. Findings indicate that cultural integration strengthens consumer engagement, builds brand loyalty, and generates sustainability benefits through the use of local resources and culturally rooted practices. Qualitative insights illustrate how these outcomes occur in practice, particularly through collaboration with artisans and community-based knowledge systems. By triangulating survey and interview data, the study provides an empirical model demonstrating that indigenous African design principles function as strategic assets for innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable business development.
African design; business strategy; innovation; sustainability; mixed-methods research
The Role of Car-Free Zones as Public Open Spaces in Enhancing Place Identity in Kigali City
Car-free zones as pedestrianized, non-motorized public open spaces within urban realms offer various functions based on their physical elements. The activities within foster special connections based on their physical characteristics, meanings and memories attached, leading to formation of place identity (PI). Despite the rapid emergence of car-free initiatives in African cities, limited empirical research has examined how such spaces contribute to place identity formation. There are few studies in Africa currently that delve into place-people relationships within car-free zones. The car-free zone within Kigali City’s central business district presents the case study. The study aimed first to analyze the functions of the space, second to analyze the physical elements and image of the space and lastly to investigate perceptions on PI. A mixed-methods approach was employed using a survey of 183 respondents, field investigation through photography and mapping. Regression analysis identified landscape values, such as air quality, recreation and therapeutic values as significant predictors of PI, while correlation analysis revealed moderate positive spatial associations.
Car-free zones, place identity, place attachment, landscape urbanism, urban public space, Kigali City
Assessment of Planned Urbanization and Rural Settlement Policy Implementation in Post-Genocide Rwanda (2018–2024)
The paper examines the Post-War Rwanda Government’s management approach to urbanization and rural settlement development. Through an End of Term Evaluation of the Second Urban and Rural Settlement Sector Strategic Plan (2018/19–2023/24), the paper seeks to understand what worked well, what did not, operational experience, opportunities, and challenges. The evaluation applied a theory of change approach to examine the effectiveness and impact of the policy and institutional framework in relation to its goals, inputs, and implementation actions. The findings provide evidence that Rwanda’s policies and management approach to urbanization and rural settlement development have largely achieved the set priorities and targets. However, aspects of the approach remain controversial and contested both domestically and internationally.
Planned urbanization and rural settlements, Imidugudu (grouped villages), agglomeration, urban sprawl, urbanization hierarchy, theory of change, one stop center, land use planning, informal settlements
Experimental Investigation of Interaction Effects of Integral Waterproofing Admixtures and Naphthalene-Based Superplasticizers on Fresh and Hardened Concrete
This study experimentally investigates the interaction between integral waterproofing admixtures and naphthalene-based superplasticizers in concrete, addressing limited evidence on their combined effects on fresh and hardened properties. A commercially adopted mix with varying admixture dosages was evaluated for slump, setting time, density, water absorption, compressive strength, and tensile splitting strength. Unit weight and density remained unchanged. Slump and setting times increased with superplasticizer dosage, while the waterproofing admixture showed minimal influence on fresh properties. Mechanical strength improved at moderate superplasticizer dosages but declined at higher levels, particularly around 3% by cement mass. Water absorption remained largely comparable across mixes. The results confirm that superplasticizer dosage governs performance, and excessive dosages reduce mechanical capacity. Controlled proportioning is therefore essential to optimize workability, strength, and durability in liquid-retaining concrete applications.
Integral waterproofing admixtures, Naphthalene-based superplasticizers, Admixture interaction mechanisms, Water absorption, Fresh and hardened concrete properties, Liquid-retaining concrete structures
Community Engagement in Open-Air Museums for Documenting Vernacular Architecture:
This paper explores how open-air museums use community engagement to preserve and transmit knowledge of vernacular architecture, and how these practices can inform architectural education. Drawing on qualitative data from two case studies, Bokrijk Open-Air Museum (Belgium) and Makumbusho Village Museum (Tanzania), the study compares institutional strategies for involving local communities, documenting building traditions, and supporting heritage-based learning. The findings reveal contrasting approaches. Bokrijk emphasises research-driven restoration, supported by government funding, where conservation is visible to the public and serves as a “living lab” for students and visitors. In contrast, Makumbusho emphasises grassroots co-creation, involving elders, artisans, and community members in maintaining traditional houses with indigenous techniques. Despite structural differences, both museums prioritise community knowledge, cultural relevance, and hands-on learning. The study demonstrates that open-air museums can bridge vernacular heritage and architectural pedagogy, offering lessons for sustainability, contextual design, and climate-resilient construction.
Bokrijk, climate resilience, community engagement, comparative study, heritage preservation, makumbusho, open-air museums, vernacular architecture
This study examines the intersection of spatial design and social equity through a qualitative case study of the Buxton Point Affordable Housing Project in Mombasa, Kenya. Using a dignity matrix incorporating spatial, material, cultural, and procedural parameters, it evaluates the project’s alignment with national housing goals and international norms of human dignity. Findings reveal strong technical compliance with construction standards but identify deficiencies in inclusivity, transparency, and participatory planning. The results demonstrate that dignified housing extends beyond physical adequacy to embrace justice, belonging, and community representation. The paper argues that embedding structured community participation and post-occupancy evaluation within Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme is essential to ensure that “building justice” is not only designed but also democratically realized. Ultimately, the study underscores the need for rights-based, participatory frameworks that integrate social values into urban development and housing policy in rapidly urbanizing African cities.
AHP, affordable housing, dignity, spatial justice, human-centered design, procedural inclusion, buxton point, Kenya
Reframing Sustainability in East African Cities:
This study examined how sustainability in the built environment was redefined through community-driven practices in rapidly urbanizing cities of East Africa. Moving beyond technocratic and Northern-centric models, it adopted a Southern urbanism perspective to highlight localized, adaptive approaches to urban transformation. Employing a qualitative, multi-method design—comprising document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and comparative case studies from Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam—the research focused on three initiatives: the Mukuru Special Planning Area, the Bwaise Upgrading Project, and the Chamazi Eco-Village. Findings revealed a shift toward place-based, inclusive sustainability frameworks grounded in lived experience, participatory governance, and informal systems. Community agency and co-production were central in advancing spatial justice and environmental adaptation. Nonetheless, institutional fragmentation, centralized governance, and limited recognition of informality constrained implementation. The study concluded that reframing sustainability through a Southern urbanism lens provides a dynamic, context-responsive, and equitable pathway for shaping resilient urban futures in the Global South.
Co-production, governance, informality, participatory planning, resilience, sustainability, urban transformation
Service Life of Floor Finishes in Nairobi’s Public Buildings:
Accurate knowledge of the long-term performance of building materials, particularly the service life of components and systems, is fundamental to sustainable construction practices. In Kenya, limited application of service life assessment and prediction has contributed to economic, social, environmental, and physical challenges, including high maintenance costs, aesthetic deterioration, increased material waste, safety risks, and adverse environmental impacts. This study investigated common floor finish types used in public office buildings, the motivations behind their selection, and their observed service life based on field data, with the aim of informing sustainable material selection and maintenance planning. Data were collected from 49 public office buildings using a mixed-methods approach and analysed through comparative interpretation. Findings indicate that the predominant floor finishes are ceramic tiles, granito tiles, terrazzo, and carpets. Observed service life, defined as the period between installation and replacement, ranged from 39.5 to 49 years and was strongly influenced by building function and changing aesthetic preferences, particularly in representational spaces. Premature replacement was found to undermine sustainability by increasing waste and life-cycle costs. The study recommends integrating service life prediction models into design decision-making to balance aesthetics and durability, contributing to localized, evidence-based maintenance policy and improved resource efficiency.
Service life prediction, sustainable construction, floor finishes, public buildings, life-cycle costing, circular design
Editorial Resilient African Cities: Infrastructure, Climate Innovation and Inclusive Development Welcome to the Twenty-first Volume, 1st Issue of the Africa Habitat Review–Journal of the Faculty of Built Environment and Design. This issue presents critically analysed papers on matters relating to sustainable materials, urban resilience, construction management, social justice, heritage preservation, innovative business strategy, and spatial planning across Africa. Collectively, the contributions foreground context-sensitive research and practice, offering grounded insights into the evolving relationships between people, policy, infrastructure, and the built environment on the continent. Service Life of Floor Finishes in Nairobi’s Public Buildings: Lessons for Sustainable Materials presents a timely reflection on the importance of durability and long-term performance in sustainable construction. The paper draws attention to how premature replacement of floor finishes, often driven by shifting aesthetic preferences rather than structural failure, contributes to unnecessary waste, increased maintenance costs, and weakened resource efficiency. This editorial recognizes the study’s significance in advancing evidence-based material selection and localized maintenance planning, while reinforcing the need to integrate service life prediction into design practice in Kenya’s public building sector. Reframing Sustainability in East African Cities: Community Perspectives in the Built Environment offers a compelling challenge to conventional, technocratic interpretations of sustainability by centring lived experience, local agency, and participatory urban practice. Through a Southern urbanism lens, the paper demonstrates how communities in Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam are actively reshaping sustainability as an inclusive and adaptive process grounded in place-specific realities. This editorial highlights the study’s contribution to debates on spatial justice, informality, and resilient urban futures, while affirming the value of community knowledge in redefining sustainable urban transformation in East Africa. Construction Delays in Rwanda's Local Government Projects: A Statistical Framework for Management makes an important empirical contribution to the understanding of infrastructure delivery challenges within Rwanda’s development agenda. By demonstrating the dominant influence of financial factors on project delays, the paper offers a robust statistical basis for targeted reforms in planning, payment systems, and technical capacity enhancement. This editorial underscores the relevance of the proposed Rwanda Construction Delay Management Framework as a practical and policy-oriented tool capable of improving efficiency, accountability, and project implementation outcomes in local government construction. The Geometry of Building Justice: Exploring Dignity Through the Buxton Point Affordable Housing Project, Kenya advances a critical conversation on the relationship between housing, justice, and human dignity in rapidly urbanizing contexts. The paper shows that while technical compliance is necessary, it is not sufficient to guarantee inclusive and dignified living environments. This editorial acknowledges the study’s strength in revealing how participation, transparency, and representation are central to just housing delivery, and it affirms the paper’s call for rights-based and democratically grounded frameworks within Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme. Two-Phase Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil in Kenya Using Sodium Chloride and Cement addresses one of the most persistent engineering challenges affecting infrastructure development in expansive soil regions. By proposing a staged stabilization method that improves strength and reduces shrinkage while remaining environmentally compliant, the paper provides a practical and sustainable solution for problematic soils in Kenya. This editorial recognizes the study’s contribution to geotechnical innovation, cost-effective construction practice, and environmentally responsible infrastructure delivery in regions where soil instability continues to constrain development. Community Engagement in Open-Air Museums for Documenting Vernacular Architecture: A Comparative Case Study of Bokrijk and Makumbusho provides a thoughtful exploration of how community participation can strengthen heritage preservation and architectural learning. By comparing the research-driven model of Bokrijk with the grassroots co-creation approach of Makumbusho, the paper reveals the diverse ways in which vernacular knowledge can be documented, transmitted, and sustained. This editorial highlights the manuscript’s importance in bridging cultural heritage and design education, while underscoring the role of open-air museums as living spaces for contextual, sustainable, and climate-responsive architectural pedagogy. Experimental Investigation of Interaction Effects of Integral Waterproofing Admixtures and Naphthalene-Based Superplasticizers on Fresh and Hardened Concrete contributes valuable technical insight into the optimization of concrete performance in construction practice. The paper carefully demonstrates that while superplasticizers can enhance workability and strength at moderate levels, excessive dosages compromise mechanical performance. This editorial draws attention to the study’s practical significance for engineers and material specialists, particularly in liquid-retaining structures, and emphasizes its broader contribution to quality control, durability, and evidence-based admixture proportioning in concrete technology. Integrating African Design Technologies Into Business Strategy: A Mixed-Methods Study On Innovation And Sustainability positions African cultural knowledge, motifs, materials, and narratives as strategic resources within contemporary business and innovation ecosystems. The paper persuasively demonstrates that indigenous design principles can enhance firm performance, deepen consumer engagement, and support sustainable development through culturally rooted practices and local resource use. This editorial recognizes the study’s originality in reframing African design not merely as heritage, but as a dynamic and competitive business asset with growing relevance for entrepreneurship, sustainability, and global market positioning. Assessment of Planned Urbanization and Rural Settlement Policy Implementation in Post-Genocide Rwanda (2018–2024) presents a critical review of Rwanda’s efforts to manage urbanization and rural settlement through structured policy and institutional reform. The paper provides valuable evidence of progress while also acknowledging the contested dimensions of implementation and governance that accompany such ambitious national strategies. This editorial highlights the study’s importance in contributing to debates on state-led planning, development effectiveness, and post-conflict transformation, while offering useful reflections on what has worked, what remains challenged, and what can inform future policy directions. The Role Of Car-Free Zones As Public Open Spaces In Enhancing Place Identity In Kigali City offers an insightful examination of how pedestrianized public spaces foster urban meaning, memory, and social attachment. By connecting physical elements, user perceptions, and experiential values, the paper demonstrates that car-free zones are not simply traffic interventions, but important sites of place-making and identity formation. This editorial acknowledges the study’s relevance to contemporary urban design and public space discourse in Africa, particularly as cities increasingly seek inclusive, healthy, and people-centred environments that support recreation, environmental quality, and social belonging. Taken together, the papers in this issue demonstrate the richness and urgency of built environment scholarship in Africa today. They reveal a shared commitment to advancing sustainability, justice, innovation, and resilience through research that is both analytically rigorous and deeply grounded in context. This volume therefore not only contributes to academic discourse, but also offers meaningful direction for practitioners, policymakers, and communities engaged in shaping more equitable and sustainable human settlements across the continent. The article on Adoption of Green Roofs for Climate Change Adaptation in Nairobi CBD examines the growing environmental challenges affecting Nairobi’s Central Business District, particularly the Urban Heat Island effect and flash flooding. The study explores the adoption of green roofs as a sustainable climate adaptation strategy using a mixed-methods approach involving architects, developers, and regulators. Findings indicate that although stakeholders recognize the environmental and aesthetic benefits of green roofs, actual implementation remains low due to limited technical knowledge, lack of practical exposure, and high installation costs. The article further identifies inadequate institutional support and absence of clear policy guidelines as major barriers to adoption. Respondents strongly support government incentives and regulatory frameworks to encourage uptake. The study makes an important contribution to urban sustainability discussions by emphasizing the need for stronger policy intervention, technical training, and financial support to mainstream green roofs as an effective environmental management strategy in Nairobi CBD.
VOLUME 21 ISSUE 1 (APRIL, 2026) CONTENT VII Editorial Prof. Robert W. Rukwaro 3698 Service Life of Floor Finishes in Nairobi’s Public Buildings: Lessons for Sustainable Materials Olivia S. O. Mwembe, Njeri Wachira-Towey and Anthony Oduor Ralwala 3714 Reframing Sustainability in East African Cities: Community Perspectives in the Built Environment George K. Nyamu 3738 Construction Delays in Rwanda's Local Government Projects: A Statistical Framework for Management Niyomfura Eric, Adeline Dindi and Abednego O. Gwaya 3750 The Geometry of Building Justice: Exploring Dignity through the Buxton Point Affordable Housing Project, Kenya Yasir Brek 3768 Two-Phase Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil in Kenya Using Sodium Chloride and Cement Akiyama Yoshikuni, Sakata Izumi, Sakamaki Katsuyuki, Kobayashi Mizuho, Akiyama Sayaka, Fukami Fumiya, Martin Mbidhi and G. N. Hinga 3782 Community Engagement in Open-Air Museums for Documenting Vernacular Architecture: A Comparative Case Study of Bokrijk and Makumbusho Rweyemamu Valentine Vedasto, Koenraad Van Cleempoel, Els Hannes, Shubira Leonidas Kalugila and Sarah Phoya 3796 Experimental Investigation of Interaction Effects of Integral Waterproofing Admixtures and Naphthalene-Based Superplasticizers on Fresh and Hardened Concrete Mwangi Irungu, Siphila Wanjiku and Silvester Abuodha 3816 Integrating African Design Technologies into Business Strategy: A Mixed-Methods Study on Innovation and Sustainability Henry Wanakuta, Nathaniel B. Walker and Amani Khan 3830 Assessment of Planned Urbanization and Rural Settlement Policy Implementation in Post-Genocide Rwanda (2018–2024) Peter M. Ngau 3846 The Role of Car-Free Zones as Public Open Spaces in Enhancing Place Identity in Kigali City Edwin Oluoch K’oyoo and Frank Bagenzi 3862 Adoption of Green Roofs for Climate Change Adaptation in Nairobi CBD: A Mixed-Methods Study Catherine Achieng, Sunday Abuje and Martin Mbidhi
The Africa Habitat Review Journal seeks to advance knowledge and promote the exchange of ideas among scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the built environment. The journal provides a platform for disseminating research, innovation, and professional practice that respond to emerging technologies, research developments, and contemporary challenges, with the aim of improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of the sector. It encourages contributions from both academic and professional communities and supports research that informs policy dialogue and decision-making. The journal explicitly links theory and practice within Kenyan, regional, and international contexts.
Structural Failures and Development Control in Kenya:
Shelter is a fundamental human need, yet in many rapidly urbanising African cities, the pursuit of affordable housing has increasingly produced unsafe buildings and recurrent structural failures. In Kenya, frequent building collapses over recent decades have resulted in loss of life, injuries, displacement, and substantial economic losses. This paper examines the relationship between structural failures and development control in Kenya using a qualitative, desk-based analytical approach grounded in documentary and comparative review. It situates the Kenyan experience within broader global and regional urbanisation dynamics, reviews the contemporary statutory and institutional framework governing development control, and synthesises empirical and documentary evidence on the causes of building collapse. Drawing on comparative literature from Kenya, Nigeria, and wider urban studies, the paper identifies key drivers of failure, including weak regulatory enforcement, engagement of unqualified practitioners, rent-seeking and corruption, technical design and construction deficiencies, poor maintenance, and inadequate regulatory review. The analysis develops a conceptual framework that links regulatory architecture, institutional capacity, professional ethics, and developer behaviour to building performance outcomes. It advances policy-oriented recommendations to improve safety, accountability, and resilience in Kenya’s construction sector.
Building safety, structural failure, building collapse, development control, regulatory enforcement, construction governance, professional ethics, institutional capacity, urbanisation, Kenya
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Industry 4.0 and Construction Project Labour Productivity (CPLP) in Kenya:
The persistent stagnation of labour productivity in the construction sector poses a critical challenge to economic growth in developing countries, including Kenya. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been widely promoted as a transformative solution capable of reversing this trend through digitalisation, automation, and data-driven decision-making. This study critically evaluates whether the adoption of 4IR technologies constitutes a viable pathway (panacea) to improving Construction Project Labour Productivity (CPLP) or whether it introduces implementation risks (sinking sand) that undermine expected gains. Anchored in post-positivist and pragmatic research paradigms, the study draws on previously developed CPLP predictive models based on empirical project data from Nairobi. The models demonstrate that Project Information Flow (PIF) and Project Materials Flow (PMF) jointly explain 88.0% of the variations in CPLP. A reflexive qualitative analysis is then employed to interrogate the practical feasibility of translating these theoretical gains into on-site productivity improvements. Findings indicate that while 4IR technologies can significantly enhance PIF and PMF, their effectiveness depends on human capacity, infrastructure readiness, and change management. Without these enabling conditions, technology adoption risks becoming counterproductive. The study concludes by proposing a strategic implementation framework to convert 4IR potential into measurable productivity outcomes.
Construction project labour productivity, industry 4.0, project information flow, project materials flow, Kenya, predictive modelling, digital transformation, developing countries
In Nairobi’s informal settlements, land tenure insecurity perpetuates poverty, eviction risks, and limited service access. This study examines Baba Dogo in Ruaraka Sub-County, where undocumented claims, bureaucracy, and socio-economic vulnerabilities hinder investments. Amid rapid Sub-Saharan urbanization, community-based organizations (CBOs) mobilize financial and social capital—through savings groups, microfinance, cooperatives, and trust networks—to secure land rights. Using mixed methods (78-household survey, key informant interviews, focus groups, and secondary data), findings show 80.8% ownership claims, though 69.2% lack documentation and 98.7% perceive insecurity. CBOs improved credit access by 40% via SACCOs, secured long-term possession for 20% through Community Land Trusts, and formalized 35% of leases through Akiba Mashinani Trust. These actions averted evictions for 50% of participants and improved 45% of housing and service conditions. While limited by a small sample and single-site focus, the study advances understanding of community-led tenure strategies and supports policies integrating CBO participation and hybrid tenure models.
Land tenure insecurity, informal settlements Nairobi, community-based organizations, capital mobilization, grassroots empowerment, sustainable urban development, eviction prevention, ownership formalization, urban equity
Understanding Place Dependence in Landscape Settings:
This review synthesizes place dependence (PD) as a functional component of place attachment (PA) and sense of place (SOP) within landscape settings. Using a content-analysis approach, we screened titles/abstracts/keywords for “place dependence” across Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, including cognate terms (place identity, place attachment, sense of place). Fifty-four (54) studies published between 1983 and 2025 met inclusion criteria spanning urban parks, wetlands, traditional streets, coastal corridors, and city-scale public spaces, with very limited African representation. The review finds that place quality (amenities, accessibility, diversity, safety, good upkeep) and place expectation (activities, goals, needs) consistently determine PD, moderated by evaluation, preference, and unwillingness to move. Methods are predominantly quantitative (≈70–72%) using 4–6 Likert-type PD items adapted from Williams & Vaske and related instruments; mixed methods are increasing, while qualitative designs remain under-represented. We propose a conceptual framework linking PD principles relating to place quality/expectation and outcomes (connections, experiences, social interactions) to guide place making and place keeping in landscape planning and governance. Practically, PD can inform programming, amenity mixes, and maintenance standards to improve user satisfaction and stewardship. Gaps include African cases, consistent reporting of PD sub-dimensions, and multi-method triangulation. The review recommends mixed-methods protocols and PD-led evaluation prior to design interventions to link theory, policy and place making practice.
Content analysis, landscape planning, place attachment, place dependence, place identity, place making, sense of place
Predictive Machine Learning Modeling of Urban Traffic Air Pollution:
Air pollution in Africa is a growing yet often overlooked threat, worsened by rapid industrialization, urban expansion, and road traffic. This study examines the impact of traffic flow and meteorological conditions on urban air quality along the Entebbe–Kampala corridor in Uganda. Traffic monitoring and air quality measurements were conducted using AirQo mobile sensors. Motorcycles, saloon cars, and light goods vehicles dominated traffic, while heavy trucks contributed minimally. Pearson correlation, regression, and XGBoost models analyzed pollutant relationships, with SHAP explaining variable contributions. Results showed PM₂.₅ peaks at night due to stable atmospheric conditions limiting dispersion. Regression analysis revealed strong positive relationships between Average Daily Traffic and PM₂.₅, CO₂, and TVOCs (R² = 0.89–0.99). Wind speed explained 45–71% of pollutant variance. The study underscores the need for integrated urban air quality policies focusing on traffic control, speed regulation, and fuel efficiency to mitigate emissions in rapidly urbanizing African cities.
Entebbe-Kampala Road, machine learning, PM2.5, traffic emissions, urban air quality, Uganda
Navigating Urban Sprawl and Green Space Loss:
Urban sprawl poses a significant threat to green spaces in rapidly expanding cities like Nairobi, Kenya, undermining both environmental sustainability and social equity. This paper explores the dynamics of green space degradation, using Kahawa West Community Park as a case study to inform targeted interventions. The study aimed to identify the key factors driving park degradation, assess community usage and perceptions, evaluate the effectiveness of current management strategies, and propose sustainable development strategies. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was gathered through surveys (n=338), interviews with key informants, and field observations. The results revealed severe park decline: 68% of respondents rated cleanliness as poor or very poor, citing waste accumulation and lack of sanitation, while 62% reported significant biodiversity loss due to habitat fragmentation. Infrastructure was also in poor condition, with 70% of respondents identifying inadequate facilities. Despite these challenges, only 25% of residents visited the park regularly, with safety concerns and a lack of recreational amenities cited as major barriers. The study highlights the failure of management, as evidenced by low ratings of coordination and responsiveness, and identifies funding shortages (75%) and encroachment (80%) as significant challenges. Findings emphasize the need for policies that protect urban green spaces, with recommendations focused on collaborative governance, sustainable financing, and targeted interventions to address the consequences of sprawl. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable urbanism, offering practical insights for policymakers in Nairobi and other rapidly growing cities.
Urban sprawl, green space degradation, Nairobi, sustainable development, community perceptions, management practices, biodiversity loss, policy reforms, collaborative governance, peri-urban planning
A Planning Framework for Flood Mitigation in Nakuru City, Kenya
Flooding has become an increasingly critical challenge in Nakuru City exacerbated by both natural and human-induced factors. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive planning framework for flood mitigation within Nakuru City by examining the causes and proposing potential solutions to flooding. Observations on flooding roads in Kaptembwa, emerging of fault lines in Eveready and sink holes in Rhonda was captured through photography. Annual rainfall data was acquired from Kenya Meteorological Department with an interval of five years from1985. Sentinel 2 data from Copernicus Data Hub was used in land use analysis and determining the topography of the area while Landsat 8 image was used to examine the extent of Lake Nakuru over years and mapping flood hotspot areas. SPSS was used to analyze both spatial and statistical data for floods. Findings revealed that Nakuru City’s flooding is primarily driven by intense rainfall, topography, poor drainage infrastructure and unregulated urban development. The paper proposes a flood mitigation framework focused on sustainable land-use planning, environmental conservation, stakeholder collaboration, and early warning systems. The study will give guidelines for urban planning practices in areas that were found to be highly susceptible to flooding. Policies can then be crafted through various departments to tackle environmental planning, disaster management and urban resilience. Residence of affected areas can also use this research to plan ahead and mitigate dangers of flooding.
Flooding, urban planning, mitigation framework, geographic information systems and spatial analysis, Nakuru City, resilience, urban flooding and land use change
Assessing Household Vulnerability to Climate Risks in Mukuru Special Planning Area (SPA), Nairobi:
Households in Nairobi’s Mukuru Special Planning Area (SPA) face overlapping vulnerabilities driven by poverty, insecure tenure, and recurrent climate hazards. Guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and Social-Ecological Systems theory, this mixed-method spatial analysis combined 376 household surveys, six focus group discussions, and GIS mapping. Results show that flood exposure (β = 0.47), improved sanitation (β = −0.21), and income (β = −0.16) were the strongest determinants of household vulnerability, collectively explaining over 90% of its variance. Households relying on informal employment and living in flood-prone zones faced heightened risks, while access to sanitation, secure tenure, and early preparedness substantially reduced exposure. Findings underscore that resilience in Mukuru is infrastructural, social, and institutional, calling for participatory, household-centred planning that links service provision, tenure security, and adaptive capacity-building to equitable climate resilience.
Climate justice; climate risks; household vulnerability; mixed-methods spatial analysis; Mukuru Special Planning Area (SPA); resilience planning; urban climate resilience
Land Use Consolidation as a Tool for Sustainable Rural Development in Kenya:
This study examined land use consolidation as a strategic planning approach to advance sustainable rural development in Kenya, with a specific focus on Tabaka Ward in Kisii County. It highlights how agricultural land fragmentation and conversion—driven by population growth, inheritance customs, and prevailing land tenure systems—have eroded productivity and weakened rural resilience. Adopting a qualitative case study design, the research employed document analysis, field observations, and interviews with community members and key informants. Data were obtained from 27 households and five experts, who were purposively selected for their knowledge and experience. The collected information was analysed using NVivo for thematic coding and ArcGIS for spatial interpretation to identify key patterns and relationships. The findings revealed four major impediments to sustainable rural development: socio-cultural norms, economic disparities, speculative land markets, and weak governance structures. The study concludes that community-led, voluntary, and tenure-responsive land-use consolidation initiatives can significantly improve rural productivity and lay the foundation for inclusive and sustainable land management policies in Kenya.
Human settlement, community involvement, land use consolidation, participatory planning, sustainability, rural development, land-use management, customary land tenure